My Jewellery & My Ethics
My passion for protecting the environment is reflected in my workshop practices, the way I work and the materials I buy.
Since starting Glasswing Jewellery in 2005, Iβve been committed to only sourcing the most sustainable materials available, from suppliers that I can be confident are truly ethical in their sourcing and through all aspects of the processing and supply chain.
Our Ethical Process
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Along with ensuring the materials I use are fairly and ethically sourced, or 100% recycled, I use a 100% renewable green energy for all the workshop and officeβs energy needs.
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In the workshop, I use simple tools and traditional techniques, including a lot of elbow grease!
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All waste from the business is disposed of safely and responsibly, recycled and reused where possible.
None of the disposables used in the Glasswing workshop (such as polishing compounds) contain animal products.
Since February 2018 Iβve not bought any new equipment that contains animal products (many traditional tools contain leather and many consumables contain animal fats) .
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For processes that are outsourced, I pay UK contractors such as setters, casters, fabricators and finishers, a fair price for their highly skilled work.
Taking Responsibility
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The way I make jewellery reflects to a great extent the way I have always lived - striving to leave as light a footprint as is practical in the modern world and with an aversion to over-consumption or unnecessary waste.
Thatβs why from the very outset, when I set up Glasswing in 2005, I knew I didnβt want my business to go against my principles.
Acting responsibly in the way materials are sourced, and in working practices, is key to what Glasswing has always been about.
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As soon as I realised 100% recycled silver was available way back in 2005, (only small amounts to start, and only in certain forms), almost all the metals I used in my jewellery were recycled from then on. Thankfully now more and more recycled and sustainable materials are available to source for jewellers, which is great news for the industry, and the customer!
All Glasswingβs gold, silver and other metals are either recycled or Fairtrade.
Fairtrade Gold
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That the most beautiful, luxurious and valuable items in the world, are made by exploiting some of the poorest and the most vulnerable people on the planet, working in unthinkably hellish conditions, is an ugly reality that finally, is impossible for the jewellery industry to ignore.
Campaigners and activists working in mining communities, and a growing handful of companies, are now helping artisanal miners set up safe working conditions in the mines. Increasingly, jewellers and consumers are demanding to know where the materials they are buying come from.
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In 2014, I registered as a Fairtrade Goldsmith joining a scheme set up to enable small business designer/makers to buy Fairtrade Gold.
Sea Glass
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Sea glass isnβt just beautiful, itβs pretty much as eco friendly as you can get!
Itβs the ultimate upcycled, recycled and pre-loved βgemstoneβ you can source!
The process of sea glass hunting involves a side helping of beach cleaning. Along with precious glass nuggets, I go almost always go home with pockets full of discarded fishing wire, marine worn plastics, and other bits and pieces that are better off not polluting the ocean.
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Most of the the sea glass in Glasswingβs Jewellery has been collected by me, my family and friends, on the beaches of Devon and Cornwall or occasionally, further afield. One of my favourite things is to receive a little parcel of sea glass that a friend has collected on holiday, completely out of the blue (no pun intended!).
Sometimes, especially for some of the rarer colours, I buy sea glass from trusted collectors here in the UK and around the world.
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Whether you have your own vast collection of sea glass, or just one of two pieces youβve found on a favourite stretch of coast, I can carefully clean, cut and set your glass into your jewellery, to create the most romantic of personal pieces for that special person!
Find our more about using your own sea glass
Sourcing Ethical Gemstones
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The gemstones I source come from a very small handful of truly ethical suppliers, those that have the knowledge of the gemβs supply chain, leading right back to the environmentally responsible and safety-conscious mine from which the gems were extracted.
Most gems I use come from the USA, Australia and Canada plus from ethical, environmentally responsible mines in Africa.
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Since starting Glasswing Jewellery I was committed to only buying gemstones from suppliers that I could be confident are truly ethical in their sourcing and through all aspects of the supply chain.
The reality of that decision, until recently, has meant I have essentially only been able to access and work with a tiny fraction of the gemstones that exist in cut or uncut form in the world.
The good news is that I can now source more gemstones than ever from ethical suppliers here in the UK and abroad.
More and more ethical gems are becoming available as suppliers become increasingly aware of the need to be socially and environmentally responsible in the way they do business.
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A good selection of gemstones are available from truly ethical suppliers, and the list is growing all the time:
Sapphires, Spinel, Moissanite, Moonstone, Tourmaline, Topaz, Garnets, Rhodonite, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, Green Quartz, Iolit Rubies, Aquamarine, Peridots, Citrine, Purple Sage Chalcedony, Blue Zircon.
I can also occasionally source ethical or antique recycled emeralds.
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If you would like a particular stone not mentioned above, there's always a chance Iβll be able to source it for you, either from recycled supplies (often these are re-cut or refinished).
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The world of gemstones can be endless and confusing! Itβs always worth dropping me a line so I help you work out the important must haves (colour? durability? origin?) or just to see if a particular gem you like has become available to buy from an ethical supplier.
Sourcing Diamonds
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I source recycled diamonds from the 'Harmony' diamonds range at the eco-friendly bullion dealer Hoover & Strong.
They are arguably the most eco-friendly natural diamond available and, by demanding them, customers and jewellers are helping to reduce the industry's reliance on environmentally damaging mining practices.
Hoover & Strong is one of the world's leaders in the acquisition and reintroduction of these many millions of diamonds back into the jewellery supply chain. A recycled 'Harmony' diamond is an originally naturally occurring diamond, cut and polished from mined rough stones, recovered from vintage jewellery, re-polished and graded for the perfect non-conflict, non-polluting option.
A huge selection of sizes, grades and colours are available, so tell us what you'd like and I will find the perfect diamond/s for your ring.
I use recycled diamonds, arguably environmentally responsible, conflict-free option possible
I also source Canadian and Australian origin diamonds.
Occasionally lab grown diamonds are sourced on an individual basis.
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The CanadaMark assures the end consumer of the integrity of the supply chain.
These Canadian diamonds can be traced from the mine to the retail outlet. Thus ensuring peace of mind for the end consumer, guaranteeing they are natural and untreated.
The whole process can be tracked through an audited process at every stage from country of origin to the polished stone.
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Lab grown diamonds are created using advanced technology β either extreme pressure and heat, or a carbon vapour deposition process which replicate the natural method of diamond formation.
The result is lab grown diamonds which have the same characteristics of natural ones, both in strength and sparkle. Lab grown diamonds present a new, technologically advanced and sustainable alternative to mined diamonds.
All of the larger lab grown diamonds I use are certified.
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Available from time to time, and on an individual basis, old cut and antique diamonds are relatively rare. Theyβve often survived being re-cut, set and re-set numerous times, or just getting lost in the mists of history.
Do get in touch if youβd like to commission a piece using one of these very special stones, or look out for pieces as and when they are listed as Ready to Go in the shop.
